stephmodo: Classical Music

• 18 February 2009

I love blogging to classical music at night. It's just enough of a distraction, without clouding my mind. My thoughts flow in a way they couldn't during the day and the beautiful combination of strings and piano make me feel calm and peaceful inside.

I'm a huge fan of the French composer Claude Debussy, hence my Debussy-loaded playlist. However, I'm in serious need of branching out and for whatever reason my memory is failing me and I can't remember all the specific pieces I love (there was a particularly compelling Chopin Nocturne I can't for the life of me remember).

I'm hoping you'll share your favorite pieces with me so I can diversify my current list...

Arabesque 1 - Debussy
Gymnopedie No.3 - Erik Satie
Nocturne - Debussy
Reverie - Debussy
Clair de Lune - Debussy
Passepied - Debussy

P.S. If you are also a Satie fan and visit Normandy at some point, make sure you stop by the Maison Satie in Honfleur. The town is absolutely lovely and this small museum provides an atypical museum experience you'll truly enjoy.

image of Claude Debussy & Co. in 1893 via wikipedia commons

15 comments:

debbyFebruary 18, 2009 at 7:46 AM
Mozart: Variations On Ein Weib Ist Das Herrlichste Ding, K 613.

Grieg: Lyric Pieces, Op. 54 - Notturno

My favorite Chopin nocturne is: Nocturne no. 17 in E Major, op. 62, no. 1

Hope that helps!
KJFebruary 18, 2009 at 7:53 AM
Chopin did several "nocturne" pieces, I love many of them! Massenet is also quite wonderful
megan haugheryFebruary 18, 2009 at 8:13 AM
i have been loving aaron copeland's appalachian spring recently...
AnonymousFebruary 18, 2009 at 9:06 AM
I was just going to recommend Satie but I see you have it on your playlist(:
MarilynFebruary 18, 2009 at 11:09 AM
I love all of the Mozart adagios...they are moody and relaxing.

Also one of my favorites is a version of "Nessun Dorma" that the BBC Concert Orchestra has done. One of my all time favorites.

A few of my favorite classical albums are:

-Joshua Bell's Romance of the Violin

-Yo-Yo Ma plays Ennio Morricone

-Saint-Saens: Carnival of the Animals

I am also a big fan of classical movie scores and a few of my favorites are:

- Pride & Prejudice (really really great)

- Schindler's List

- Immortal Beloved

- Cinema Paradiso

- Memoirs of a Geisha

Sorry for such a long comment, music questions just strike a cord with me.
ChristinaFebruary 18, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I was just going to comment that one of my favorite albums is Romance of the Violin. Marilyn mentioned it too. Oh my, Joshua Bell can play the violin. The Swan is my absolute favorite on this CD.
SharmynFebruary 18, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Have you ever listened to J.S. Bach's Cello Suites? They are moody and lovely and spare. We particularly like 1, 3 & 5 and BWV1007, 1009 & 1011.
CMNFebruary 18, 2009 at 1:49 PM
A few favorites that I find so great for contemplation and inspiration...
Dvorak's Humeresque
Dvorak's Cello Concerto
Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata
Brahm's Violin Concerto
Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue
Mendelssohn's Octet
Ralph Van Williams' Lark Ascending
CMNFebruary 18, 2009 at 1:52 PM
One more comment, then I'll stop... I completely second the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack by Dario Marionelli -- one of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITES. I also love the Joshua Bell's 'The Kreisler Album', another all-time favorite.
AnonymousFebruary 18, 2009 at 1:57 PM
You can create a Pandora.com station for Debussy or other major composers you like.
VFebruary 18, 2009 at 3:54 PM
It looks like you like music from the Romantic period. You will LOVE Chopin - any piano solos. Try his waltzes, especially. You will fall in love.
StephanieFebruary 20, 2009 at 7:54 AM
See, I knew you all would have some great input! Thank you, thank you. I'll download a few more tonight on itunes.
AliciaFebruary 22, 2009 at 4:44 PM
I found your blog via Caroline. Very darling. I would have to list Debussy near the top or at the top of my list too. I love Estampes- the whole set is so descriptive. Have you ever listened to Maurice Ravel? Some of his music has a darker tone to it than Debussy, but very beautiful. He is also categorized with Debussy as "Impressionistic"- though Ravel is more neoclassical. Check out his Sonatine.
AnonymousFebruary 23, 2009 at 6:13 PM
I'm so glad you created the list. I created a Debussy station on www.pandora.com and it's playing right now. Perfect music for being on the computer before getting ready for bed. Thank you!!!
amylouwhosewsFebruary 24, 2009 at 5:00 AM
Dvorak's New World Symphony is a fave - particularly the 2nd movement.

I also love all Chopin Nocturnes.

There's one from the movie Master and Commander, Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis